How to Draw a Skull in Profile, StepbyStep

In this tutorial I will show you how to draw a human skull from scratch, step by step. I will explain every little detail of the drawing, and the perspective will be really basic, so you don't need any previous drawing experience to try this. 

To make it even easier, try to make the drawing small—this will let you use the same movements you use for writing, so you will be more precise.

1. How to Draw the Brain Case

Step 1

Draw a line. Its length is up to you—the longer it is, the bigger the drawing will be. Feel free to use a ruler if necessary.

Step 2

Find the center of the line and mark it.

Step 3

Draw a line perpendicular to the previous line. Make it slightly longer than a half of that first line.

Step 4

Draw a mirrored copy of the line to create a rotated cross.

Step 5

We're going to create an ellipse out of it. If you have problems with it, here's how you can do it: lightly draw some curves between the ends of the two lines, as if you wanted to draw in the air and on the paper at the same time.

Then draw over these light lines to create a final curve.

Use the same trick to finish the ellipse.

Step 6

Find the center of this quarter...

... and use it to create six sections.

Step 7

Connect two section markers with a curve.

Step 8

Cross this curve with a loop.

2. How to Draw the Jaw

Step 1

Elongate the shorter line of the ellipse down.

Step 2

Mark the length of half of that shorter line.

Step 3

Draw a horizontal line across this point.

Step 4

Divide the other quarter of the ellipse into four sections.

Step 5

Draw a line from the first of these sections, creating a parallel line.

Step 6

Draw another parallel line, this time starting below the eye socket.

Step 7

Divide this line into four sections.

Step 8

Cross it with a perpendicular line. Make it as long as a half of the line it's crossing, and parallel to the longer line of the ellipse.

Step 9

Draw a circle around this symmetrical cross. Use that trick from drawing the ellipse to keep it round.

Step 10

Close the shape of the front of the jaw with two more lines.

3. How to Draw the Nose and Teeth

Step 1

Draw a little circle in the back of the skull.

Step 2

Divide the lower half of the jaw circle into three sections.

Step 3

Draw a curve through these points.

Step 4

Draw a circle above the eye socket to create the brow.

Step 5

Draw a guide line between the brow and the jaw.

Step 6

Draw a gentle curve between the brow and the eye socket.

Step 7

Draw a line under the ellipse, parallel to the longer line of it.

Step 8

Draw a curve under the brow. This will be the nasal bridge.

Step 9

Draw a line between the tip of the nasal bridge and the center of the jaw circle.

Step 10

Divide a quarter of that circle into three sections.

Step 11

Draw a short line coming from the last point towards the lower jaw.

Step 12

Draw the curvy line for the rows of teeth.

4. How to Draw the Details of the Skull

Step 1

Divide a quarter of the jaw circle into halves this time.

Step 2

Draw an oval through it, under the eye socket.

Step 3

Mark a half of it.

Step 4

Draw a line between the point and the end of the lower jaw.

Step 5

Draw another line between these two areas, this time going below the oval.

Step 6

Draw a small oval stuck to the jaw joint.

Step 7

Draw a circle beside the big oval on the cheek.

Step 8

Draw two curves from this point. This will create the shape of the lower jaw.

Step 9

Add more curves to close the ridges of the eye socket.

Step 10

Mark the side of the brain case.

Step 11

Draw an oval under the brain case, right behind the lower jaw.

Step 12

Draw a big circle on the lower jaw to make its shape more realistic. It should be slightly above that horizontal guide line.

Step 13

Finish the shape of the nose with a few more guide lines.

Step 14

Draw the guide lines for the teeth.

5. How to Finish the Drawing of a Skull

Step 1

The sketch is finished! To create the final lines now, you can use a darker tool, or put a new sheet of paper over the sketch to see the subtle guide lines under it.

First, outline the shape of the skull.

Step 2

Outline the eye socket.

Step 3

Outline the ridges around the eye socket and the cheekbone.

Step 4

Outline the teeth. Give them slightly rounded tops.

Step 5

Outline the jaw.

Step 6

Press more lightly now and sketch some details on the surface of the skull. Nothing fancy, just some seams here and there.

Step 7

Let's shade it with cross-hatching to give it the fancy look of an old book figure.

Good Job!

You've learned how to draw a skull step by step! If you want to keep learning, check out more of my tutorials:

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